answer 1 of 2

noun

ˈan(t)-sər How to pronounce answer (audio)
Definition of answernext
1
as in response
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the standard answer of "Fine, thank you" when asked, "How are you?"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in result
something attained by mental effort and especially by computation the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior a cold stare was her withering answer to that gratuitous insult

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

answer

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fulfil
to do what is required by the terms of I don't have a box cutter as such, but will this knife answer the purpose?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning try to answer this riddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun answer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

Where would rejoinder be a reasonable alternative to answer?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for answer?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When might response be a better fit than answer?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

In what contexts can retort take the place of answer?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of answer
Noun
Now he’s asked to start smoke and mirrors in the backfield if some answers aren’t coming. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025 The Arizona Game and Fish Commission joined the quest for answers from Interior, voting 4-1 on July 23 to request an Interior Department review of the fire and its effects on wildlife habitat. —Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
Between answering calls, collecting fees and taking patients back for pre-testing, and then to the doctor for the exam, time is not my friend. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025 The clue that Riccardi answered wrong was in the category of 20th Century Names. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for answer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer
  1. response
  2. result
  3. reaction
  4. respond
  5. correspond
  6. solve
  7. reply
  8. solution
Noun
  • Cincinnati mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, the half brother of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, is calling for the removal of Cincinnati's city manager in response to the viral video fight over the weekend.
    — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 29 July 2025
  • In response to that, Gov. Katie Hobbs and U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., called on the U.S. Interior Department to investigate how the fire was managed.
    — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
Definition of response
Noun
  • Homelessness, housing costs hit record-high levels nationwide The Department of Housing and Urban Development won't release the 2025 point-in-time count results until the end of this year, but the most recent data shows that homelessness is rising even faster across the U.S. than in Indianapolis.
    — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
  • Even if there were a case for reducing rates, the Fed will now have to go the extra mile to demonstrate that such a cut was not the result of pressure from the White House.
    — The Editors, National Review, 23 July 2025
Definition of result
Noun
  • The reaction revealed what this play meant to Henley.
    — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 19 July 2025
  • The reaction online didn't disappoint, with fans of the 2000s aesthetic heading to the comments to share reactions.
    — Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Definition of reaction
Verb
  • The Denison Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further comment.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • Officers responded to the restaurant on the evening of July 5 after receiving reports of a fight among girls in the parking lot.
    — Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of respond
Verb
  • Analyst Alan Gould’s new price target of $510, raised from $430, corresponds to about 33% upside ahead.
    — Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 19 July 2025
  • Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Definition of correspond
Verb
  • Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
  • Luckily, Wayfair solved this predicament with its new apartment storefront, packed with storage solutions for living in a small space.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of solve
Noun
  • Fans hopped into Trav’s replies, hoping to see the pair of superstars reunite in the future.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 July 2025
  • Out-of-office replies that redirect to a trusted colleague during vacations and disabling work apps after hours reinforce that rest is essential, not optional.
    — ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of reply
Noun
  • By applying relentless pressure, providing education to the public, and offering alternative solutions, the HFC helped secure significant savings for the American people in the final piece of legislation.
    — Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • As far as internal solutions, Javier Assad (oblique) and Jameson Taillon (calf) are progressing but not that close to returning.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Definition of solution

Browse Nearby Words

another
answer
answerability
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Cite this Entry

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

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